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Baton Rouge Blues Festival partners with other organizations to offer extra music options

Robert Randolph and the Family Band

Pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph plays at the Brooklyn Bowl in November 2012. Robert Randolph and the Family Band will be one of the highlights of this year's Baton Rouge Blues Festival. (Photo by Marc Millman)

The Baton Rouge Blues Festival has teamed up with several organizations to offer extra music opportunities in the days surrounding the annual free music festival. The bonus fun this year offers parties and visual art in addition to live music.

This year's festival is April 13, and the lineup features Bobby Rush, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and others.

Here's a full list of the events:

April 4: Get a preview of the artists performing at the festival at Radio Bar, which is partnering up with WBRH's Leah Smith to offer a listening party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. While there, check out and bid on portraits by TJ Black. Proceeds benefit the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation.

April 12: Live After Five features Chris LeBlanc and Friends Blues Review from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Baton Rouge's Town Square. Also that night, Gaudet Bros. and the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation host a rent party at Iron Design, which is located at 540 N. 18th St. "Rent parties originated in 1920s Harlem to raise money for musicians as a means to pay the rent," according to a release. The part will feature an intimate performance with Blind Boy Paxton. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets for the rent party are $40 and benefit the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation.

April 13: Festival runs 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. After the festival, Baby Bee will perform at the Hartley/Vey Studio at 9 p.m. Tickets are free.

April 14: Moreland and Arbuckle perform at Sunday in the Park from noon to 2 p.m. at Town Square. Free.